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    ECDI Powers Women’s Business Center of Ohio

    “Where you are is not who you are. Remember that when you’re rich and famous.”

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    Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox, is the first African American female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Her mother, who raised Ursula in public housing in New York, was keen to remind Burns that her dreams were within reach.

    At the Women’s Business Center of Ohio (WBC), each day we remind our members of their unique visions of success. As the only U.S. Small Business Administration-funded Women’s Business Center in the state, we are part of a national network of nearly 100 educational centers designed to assist women to start and grow small businesses. According to the SBA website, WBCs operate with the mission to, “Level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business.”

    womens-biz-center-ohioIn just one year, our WBC, powered by the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), has more than 100 members. We support each one with individualized coaching, access to business tools, free educational classes and networking events.

    The mission of the WBC is, “To act as a catalyst for providing in-depth, substitutive, outcome oriented business services to women entrepreneurs.” This month, we celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month with Spotlight on Success, a networking breakfast on Friday, October 25th from 8-10AM at ECDI.

    It is our goal to help women become successful business owners, whether they are new startup businesses or small business owners wishing to take their business to the next level. The WBC offers the tools for success to both nascent and established business, many of whom are socially and economically disadvantaged. Through ECDI’s lending and IDA programs, WBC members also have access to the capital needed to grow their business. At the WBC we want your business to be a success and we will provide you with the knowledge and resources to make that happen.

    WBC-Logo-ECDIOn October 25 we will spotlight the success of three women business owners who credit a portion of that success to the their membership in the WBC. The participants will also have the opportunity to help create a mural themed, “What Success Means to Me,” which will decorate the WBC’s new space.

    “The Women’s Business Center is a great resource for my established consulting business,” says Mayda Sanchez-Shingler, Owner, Unlimited Media. “The center provides a professional environment in which to work with printers and technology that I may not be able to afford at home. The opportunity to network with other small business owners is invaluable to build business relationships that are so critical to long term success. Equally valuable is the business and technical advice provided by the staff and their training events. I highly recommend the WBC to any woman entrepreneur.”

    For more information about The Women’s Business Center visit ecdi.org or stop by during our regular business hours, Monday-Saturday.

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